My mother's hip

[PaulSB]

From what you have posted your mother should be seen by a suitably qualified specialist following referral by her GP.

A private consultation could well be your best option if this needs to be done quickly. I'm huge NHS supporter, and would argue against several points made in here, but for something like joint replacement I would "go private" without hesitation.

Based on your post I suspect the bigger problem could prove to be your mother's attitude. If she's not able/prepared to accept change, some challenges or adapt her chosen lifestyle for a positive long-term outcome making progress will be difficult. There are no magic bullets.

My personal experience of full recovery from heart attack, bleed on the brain and major RTC have each been about not being beaten. It rarely occurred to me that I wouldn't recover - even following a prognosis given to my wife of "first we see if he wakes up, then can he wriggle his toes." At least 50% of recovery is in the patient's head.

 

[presta]

writing a formal letter complaining about the lack of treatment

That'll go down well.

It's almost as if the NHS are trying to find reasons NOT to spend money on surgery

I recently saw a woman complaining that her 85 year old father had just been sent a letter cancelling (not postponing) his cancer operation. When asked why, they wouldn't answer.